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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out writing events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the writing events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find writing events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Writing Events Today
Join in-person Writing events happening right now
“Pro Songwriting Session: Writing Hooks, Melodies & Lyrics That Stick”
Write a memorable catchy Song — Pro Songwriting Workshop (4 Hours)
This is a focused, small-group songwriting session designed for people who are serious about improving their craft — whether you’re just starting or already creating your own music.
I’m a professional artist and songwriter with chart and radio experience, and I’ve collaborated with writers behind million-selling records and number-one singles in the US. I want to bring the experience of being in the writing room to this space. I will take you through each element:The sharing of ideas, striving to find what’s best for a song, and seeing an idea through from concept to completion.
This is not a lecture or casual meet-up — it’s a hands-on creative session where you’ll actively write and develop, your own material.
What you’ll learn:
* How to write a killer chorus
* The three elements that make up a commercial song
* How to develop a strong lyric
* The art of collaboration
* You’ll Receive direct, constructive feedback in a focused, supportive environment.
Who it’s for:
This workshop is designed for people who are serious about developing their songwriting — even if you’re at an early stage or more experienced.
What to bring:
If you play an instrument, bring it along. Also if you have struggled with finishing an idea or are stuck, bring that to the space.
Format:
* Limited to 6 participants to keep the session focused and high-quality
* 4-hour in-person session (private apartment setting in central Paris)
* Respectful, creative, and committed atmosphere
Price:
Introductory rate: €80
Standard pricing will be higher
for future sessions.
Important:
* Payment required in advance via PayPal to confirm your place
* Exact address shared after booking
* Limited spots available
If you want to make real progress in a short space of time this is for you.
Ready-Set-Write Lazy Sunday edition (IN-PERSON): 11:00 Start Time
Hello writers, we are happy to meet you in our new permanent home: Bohème Coworking, located at 21 rue Sedaine in the 11th arrondissement.
When you arrive, just tell the friendly folks at La Boheme reception that you are with the writing group. They will give you a little wooden knick-knack with the wifi codes and a number that they use to determine the cost based on time spent (it's 3,80 € per hour, paid at the end).
***Now, about Ready-Set-Write! ..*.**
Ready Set Write! is a regular meeting of motivated writers who grab a beverage, then shut up and write.
***What it is:*** An opportunity for writers to get together and do short, intense bursts of writing. We write for 45-ish minutes, take a 15 minute break, rinse & repeat.
***What it is NOT:*** neither a forum for critiquing each other's work, nor shameless self-promoting your projects or groups.
You pay for the time you spend, and have access to coffee, tea, and wifi.
**AND FINALLY ...**
* Register in advance, and only if you will join us in-person.
* Update your RSVP if you cannot make it.
* Please be respectful and considerate with our writing colleagues.
***Stay tuned for location updates!***
[Events in Paris, FR](https://www.meetup.com/find/fr--paris/)
Lyric writing exercises
Lyric writing weekly group practice.
A few object writing rounds to start, get our reps in — a favorite from the canon, Write Better Lyrics by P. Pattinson.*
Followed by other exercises.
I adapt the program depending on who shows up.
*Object writing : a noun picked through a random word generator, a 10 min timer to delve into our sensory imagination and free-flow with this prompt. We then take turn sharing.
Atelier d’écriture du dimanche
Un événement pour se retrouver entre femmes parisiennes qui écrivent ✍️
Faisons connaissance autour d’un thé ou café et écrivons chacune de notre côté, toutes ensemble ! ☀️
Au programme :
💬 Un petit tour de table
✍️ Un atelier d’écriture guidée
☕️ Un temps d’échange et de partage (si tu en as envie)
À prévoir :
🗒️ / 💻 : carnet et stylo ou ordi (chargé) selon tes préférences!
Atelier d'écriture du mois de mai 2026 - Thème : Lecture et Écriture
Chers tous !
Chers tous !
Voici le programme pour demain :
**Atelier écriture du mois de mai 2026**
***Thème : Lecture et écriture***
**01 – Lecture**
- « La lecture est une amitié » Marcel Proust
- « Une lecture m’émeut plus qu’un malheur réel » Gustave Flaubert
- « Je n’ai jamais eu de chagrin qu’une heure de lecture n’ait dissipée » Montesquieu
- « La lecture, une porte ouverte sur un monde enchanté » François Mauriac
- « La lecture d’un roman jette sur la vie une lumière » Louis Aragon
- « La lecture est un billet d’absence, une sortie du monde » Christian Bobin
**02 – Ecriture**
- « L’écriture est à elle-même une récompense » Christian Bobin
- « L’écriture la plus noble conquête de l’homme » Elsa Triolet
- « L’écriture est un art plus dangereux qu’il n’y paraît » Imre Kertesz
- « L’écriture est la peinture de la voix » Voltaire
- « Bien écrire c’est le contraire d’écrire bien » Paul Morand
- « Ecrire c’est une respiration » Julien Green
**Synonymes, antonymes et autres évocations** :
1. Leçon, déchiffrage, instruction, décryptage, légende, interprétation, manuscrit, plume, patte, style, manière, graphisme, genre, griffe, article, braille…
**Rimes :**
1. Déchirure, nourriture, pourriture, garniture, confiture, meurtrissure, moisissure, transfigure, pédicure, investiture, fioriture, égratignure, brisure, fourniture, pliure, piqûre, température, découpure, épluchure, mixture, démesure, mesure, nature, sépulture, sinécure…
Aussi, assurez-vous, je vous prie de vos intentions de participation.
Bonnes et belles lectures et écritures et à bientôt !
Jélila
PS : le lieu sera indiqué dès que j'aurais une confirmation, et vous en informerai dans la foulée.
Drawing meetup au Musée Bourdelle
Ce dimanche nous irons dessiner au musée Bourdelle! Nous nous retrouverons à 14:30 devant le restaurant Flam's, place Bienvenüe, 32 Av. du Maine, 75015, métro Montparnasse.
Pourquoi pas devant le musée? Car ils voient d'un mauvais œil les grands groupes^^ nous y entrerons donc au compte-goutte. Le musée est gratuit, et ce n'est pas la peine de réserver!
Apportez votre matériel de dessin et votre carnet de croquis, un tabouret pliable si vous en avez un. Nous nous retrouverons ensuite à 17:00 près de l'entrée du musée pour aller prendre un café ensemble dans un café à proximité et partager nos dessins. Tous niveaux bienvenus :) .
This Sunday we will draw together at the Bourdelle museum! We'll meet at 2:30 pm in front of the nearby Flam's restaurant, Place Bienvenüe, 32 Av. du Maine, 75015, métro Montparnasse.
Why not directly in front of the museum? Because they frown on large groups^^, so we'll go in little by little. The museum is free, and there's no need to make a reservation with them!
Bring your drawing materials and sketchbook, a folding stool if you have one. We will then meet at 17:00 outside the museums front gate to go have a coffee together (not at Flams but close by) and share our drawings. All levels welcome :) .
Atelier d'écriture n°4
Bonjour,
Bienvenue pour ce quatrième atelier d'écriture !
Pendant 2h, je vous proposerai plusieurs consignes d’écriture : un premier exercice d’échauffement pour délier nos plumes, une contrainte ludique pour faire surgir le sens là où on ne l’attend pas forcément et des temps d’écriture plus longs pour que vous plongiez dans vos imaginaires. Chaque moment d’écriture sera suivi d’un temps de lecture (pas obligatoire mais encouragé !).
Si vous le souhaitez, vous pourrez amener un texte court que vous avez déjà écrit. Je proposerai à la fin de notre atelier un temps où chacun pourra lire un de ses textes, un peu comme une scène ouverte. Les occasions de lire ou de faire lire ses écrits ne sont pas toujours légion, mais la fin de notre atelier en sera une :)
Nous nous retrouverons dans la salle d’une petite école de musique, au 28 rue Eugène Sue, 75018. C'est la boutique qui donne sur la rue, où il y a écrit "Graines de Sons". Quand vous arrivez, vous pouvez toquer à la porte.
Le tarif est de 10€, à payer en espèces à votre arrivée.
Il y aura du café, du thé et de l'eau sur place.
(Il vous sera demandé de retirer vos chaussures quand vous arriverez.)
Au plaisir de vous rencontrer et de partager avec vous ce temps d'écriture !
Writing Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Book Club: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Join us for our women's book club meet-up! Food and drinks can be purchased as you wish.
\*You will need to confirm your attendance through WhatsApp prior to the event. I will reach out to you personally though messages to add you to the WhatsApp chat\*
Book details: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/238226942-yesteryear?ref=rae_0
Location to be announced.
Théâtre d’impro 🚀 - by Kpten Impro
Atelier d’impro
Découvre les joies de l'impro, optimise ta créativité et libère ton potentiel !
L'improvisation théâtrale est un excellent outil de développement personnel et une formidable aventure collective !
Si tu as envie de [re]découvrir l'impro dans un cadre ludique et bienveillant cet atelier est fait pour toi !
Ces séances sont ouvertes à tous, débutants, intermédiaires, confirmés.
L'atelier se déroule en 2 heures, au programme :
Des échauffements dynamiques pour être à l’aise rapidement avec le groupe.
La gestion du stress et le lâcher prise,
Des jeux ludiques pour construire avec ses partenaires des histoires éphémères,
Du rire, du [Fun] et des rencontres …
Infos pratiques :
- Nombre de participants limité
- Prévoir une tenue confortable
-Une participation de 10 euros sera à régler
- Les modalités seront envoyées par message privé
Venez vous essayer, vous dépasser, jouer des personnages… vous permettant de passer des moments d’exception.
Nous déclinons toute responsabilité en cas d’incident, lors des ateliers.
Hocine et Solène
Némo Biennial 2025 is back in Paris and across Île-de-France! 🌟
**Némo Biennial 2025 is back in Paris and across Île-de-France! 🌟**
This major event dedicated to contemporary and digital art explores the connections between the real, the virtual, and the imaginary. Expect immersive installations, audiovisual performances, and unique interactive experiences that push the boundaries of creativity.
**What’s on the program?**
• Artworks and devices that blur the line between humans and machines 🤖
• Captivating sensory and visual performances 🎭
• Innovative creations from artists, designers, and researchers from around the world 🌍
We will be visiting exhibitions at **CENTQUATRE-PARIS**, one of the key venues of this edition. It will be a great moment to share impressions, discuss the artworks, and enjoy an inspiring collective experience together. 💫
More information: [https://www.biennalenemo.fr/](https://www.biennalenemo.fr/)
**Want to get more involved?**
Become a **co-organizer, event organizer, or assistant organizer** and help plan the outing, suggest ideas, or give a hand so everything runs smoothly.
📩 **How to participate**:
Just reply directly to this message on Meetup and let us know your interests or availability.
Let’s organize everything together to make this an unforgettable experience! 💫
**Spread the word!**
If you have friends or colleagues who might enjoy this kind of cultural outing, invite them to join our Meetup group!
The more passionate people we have, the more fun, lively, and inspiring our experiences become. 🎊
See you soon,
**The MeltingSpot Team**
La lecture du mois : La Vérité sur l'affaire Harry Quebert de Joël Dicker 📖🔍
Bonjour à tous ! ✨
Je suis très heureuse de lancer **la première lecture du club « 1 livre par mois »** 📖
Pour ce premier mois, nous découvrirons **« La vérité sur l’affaire Harry Quebert » de Joël Dicker**.
C’est un thriller captivant qui mêle enquête, mystère et secrets de famille. L’histoire suit Marcus Goldman, un jeune écrivain en panne d’inspiration, qui va se retrouver plongé dans une affaire vieille de plusieurs années lorsque son mentor, Harry Quebert, est accusé du meurtre d’une jeune fille disparue. Entre rebondissements, révélations et quête de vérité, le roman nous tient en haleine jusqu’à la dernière page.
L’idée est de lire chacun à son rythme, puis de se retrouver en fin de mois pour en discuter ensemble, partager nos impressions et échanger autour d’un café ou d’un chocolat chaud ☕
L’idée est vraiment de **faire partie de l’expérience tous ensemble**, du début à la discussion.
L’objectif est de créer un **moment convivial, simple et agréable** pour lire plus régulièrement et échanger avec d’autres passionné(e)s.
J’ai vraiment hâte de commencer cette aventure avec vous et de partager ce premier moment ensemble !
Amicalement,
Jade :)
French and English Language Exchange at Les Berthom
🇫🇷
Bonjour ! J’espère que tout le monde va bien ! 😁
Nous revoilà pour un événement d’échange de Langue Franco-Anglais et de la bonne humeur :
* Dimanche à "Les Berthom" : 35 Boulevard Voltaire, 75011 Paris à 18H00, prix de la participation à 10€.
Proche des stations République(Métro 3, 5, 8, 9, 11) et Oberkampf(Métro 5, 9).
Une boisson vous sera offerte parmi la carte du bar ! 🍻
L’entrée au bar se fait à partir de 17H50.
Le concept de l’événement est celui qui suit :
* La durée totale de l’événement est de 2 heures, divisée en 3 sessions. À chaque session, des tables de 4 ou 5 personnes seront composées, avec au minimum 2 Français et 2 Étrangers par table. Et pendant cette session, il y aura 15 minutes de conversation en Français et 15 minutes de conversation en Anglais. À la fin de chaque session, les tables changent afin de vous faire rencontrer d’autres personnes !
Nos événements ont pour but de favoriser les échanges linguistiques, culturels et la création de liens sociaux amicaux et/ou professionnels ! Nos événements n’ont pas pour vocations d’être des speed-dating, nous trouvons cela important de le préciser et nous serons strict sur le respect de cette mention. ^^
En espérant vous voir très bientôt !
🇬🇧
Hello ! We hope everyone’s doing good ! 😁
We're back for a French & English language exchange event :
* Sunday at "Les Berthom" : 35 Boulevard Voltaire, 75011 Paris, starting at 6:00PM. For a 10€ fee.
Close to the Metro station République (Métro 3, 5, 8, 9 & 11) and Oberkampf (Métro 5 & 9).
A drink will be offered from the Bar's Menu !🍻
We’ll start the check-in at 5:50PM.
The concept of the event is :
* The whole event lasts 2 hours, subdivided in 4 sessions of 30 minutes. In each session, tables of 4 to 8 persons will be formed equally between foreigners and French (2/3 Foreigners and 2/3 French). In these sessions, there will be 15 minutes of French conversation followed by 15 minutes of English conversation. At the end of the 30 minutes, we’ll switch the tables and you’ll be placed on a new table with new persons (Hence, you’ll meet at least 9 to 12 different persons in an event) !
The purpose of the event is mainly focused on the language and cultural exchange, on top of creating friendly and professional links ! These events are not intended to be speed-datings, which is important to be precise and we plan to be strict about this point. ^^
We hope to see you soon !
Music Workshop (échange et création musicale entre passionnés de beatmaking)
**FRENCH :**
*Vous devez charger votre ordinateur et télécharger un logiciel de musique, je vous recommande FL studio ou Ableton.*
L'évènement est divisé en 3 parties évolutives
* Un cours pour les débutants ou confirmés
Il s'agit d'un échange de technique.
**Le premier cours sera axé autour du SAMPLING**
Après le cours nous allons partir sur une contrainte créative.
* La contrainte sera un sample, et de réaliser un son en 50min max.
Les contraintes permettent d'éviter les paralysie artistiques.
* La 3e partie est libre : écoute des compositions, débats, rigolades !
à la fin de chaques sessions les artistes présents peuvent sélectionner des compositions sur lesquelles is devront
**ENGLISH :**
*You need a charged computer and you should also download a music software . I recommend FL studio or Ableton*
The event is in 3 parts
* a cours for beginner or confirmed **around SAMPLING**
then we will explore some creative contraint
* with a sample you will have to create a song in 50min alone or with someone.
* you decide what the 3rd part is : it can be cocktail,listening, debates it should only be good vibes!
At the end of each session we will listen to your creations !
Deep Talk / In English
🍩🍰 Let's have a weekly deep talk in an intimate Parisian café, share a drink and have a good time with like-minded, lovely and chill people. 🥂☕
We're here to sip life in a childish, simple and non-serious way. 🙃
When was the last time you had a meaningful conversation? Or deepened your relationship with someone in your life? It's not easy to have a deep conversation.
While small talk, which is typically casual and light-hearted, can help break the ice, it may not necessarily help you form a deep, emotional connection with someone. Whether it's with your friends, family, colleagues or romantic partners, having meaningful conversations is important for creating strong bonds.
"Meaningful conversations help us understand ourselves and those around us better. They involve sharing important aspects of ourselves and actively listening, validating and connecting with others."
We believe that a happy and healthy life is built on beautiful relationships and that loneliness kills us. That's it. It's not the number of friends that counts, it's the quality of the relationship.
✅ This group is adressed to :
● People who want to build deep, genuine and caring relationships in a small group that looks the same, where they feel comfortable and emotionally safe to talk emotionally and get intimate about anything in their lives.
● Simple, loving, kind, hyper/sensitive and lovely people who spend a lot of time in their bubble thinking about the meaning of life, passionate about personal development, philosophy, meaningful conversations, debates ....
⛔ Please don't subscribe if :
● You don't see yourself in the group's aims and beliefs.
● You're travelling for a short period of time and don't live or intend to live in Paris.
● You are not sure if you will be able to come, please update your status to allow others on the waiting list to join. An absence without notice will result in an irrevocable ban.
Progress :
● ❗ For reservations, I'll send you a private Meetup message at least 5 hours before the meeting to confirm your reservation. If I don't receive a reply 2 hours before the meeting, I will send you a second message to let you know that you will be replaced by someone on the waitlist.
● 💚 We keep the session small, cosy and relaxed in a quiet place, prioritising regularity to encourage intimacy, connection, listening and speaking. (\~ 5/6 people)
● 🔖 On arrival, if you feel comfortable, you will be suggested to choose and associate several drawn Feelings and Needs cards to express how you really feel at the moment, to talk about ourselves and communicate effectively.
● 📝 The best way to make progress is to make the conversation easy and natural, with everyone making an effort to suggest and write down what you want to talk about. You can write down your favourite topics/questions before the meeting. The meeting is participative and invite everyone if you feel comfortable being a leader and a power of suggestion.
Anyway, to keep the meeting running smoothly, I'll animate the meeting to make sure the conversation doesn't get wild or boring and I wouldn't hesitate to reframe people. In case of lack of inspiration we have a lot of deep conversation question card game which can help to find interesting questions.
● 🍕 (Not compulsory) After the meeting we can finish in a nearby restaurant for those who wish to relax or continue our conversation.
Advice for a good moment :
● Leave your ego and mask at home, we are not here to impress anyone but to be ourselves with our strength, weakness, pride and shame.
Come with an open/deep/emotional/complex thought and vulnerability.
● Ask open-ended questions and invite the other person to describe what a situation was like for them or how they felt.
● Don't hesitate to be vulnerable and share information about yourself if needed.
Consider sharing personal information first to gain the other person's trust.
● Adopt an attitude of curiosity and genuine interest in what the other person is saying. Be thoughtful and try to put yourself in the other person's shoes so that you can see things from their perspective. Be truthful, caring and honest.
● Listen actively and ask follow-up questions.
● Be empathetic and offer emotional validation so that they feel seen and heard.
It is forbidden to judge, but try to understand.
● ⏱ Be aware of your speaking time for Equally Speak.
● 🤫 Be aware never to provoke political or religious ideologies, but to accept differences of belief. Advice on non-violent communication can be given in the meeting to learn not to unintentionally hurt anyone when requested or needed.
● 🚨 Remember to maintain a safe, and benevolent environment. People who are considered to be disruptive, problematic or simply not in tune with the energy of the group will not be allowed to return.
Finally, we're hug-friendly !!! 🤗
Writing Events Near You
Connect with your local Writing community
Shut Up & Write!® East Side Columbus
Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11 at Streetlight Guild.
Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done.
**SCHEDULE:**
6:45ish - Quick introductions
7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour
8:00 - The End
**OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing.
**BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer.
Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild!
**WHAT SHOULD I BRING?**
Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you!
**OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:**
* **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space!
* **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels.
* **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay!
* **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.
Shut Up & Write!™ Easton Town Center
We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator.
Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking!
• What we'll do
Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings.
Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done.
SCHEDULE:
10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros.
10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour.
11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing.
OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing.
BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer.
Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you!
• What to bring
Whatever you need to be able to write!
Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible.
See you at The Café on Saturday!
Shut Up & Write! Kingsdale Shopping Center
Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington.
The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo.
Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine.
We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you.
The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly.
Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome.
The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit.
Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times.
Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have.
Happy writing!
Speak Easy (Storytelling)
The topic for May is "Ink"
Speak Easy: true stories, told live.
The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast.
Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect.
The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!
Queer Quills
**We are expanding our creative programming opportunities with Queer Quills, a writing and sharing space. Queer Quills features some prompts, supplies and friendly faces to help get some inspiration or feedback for your writing. Hope to see you there!**
Duty vs. Results: What Makes an Action Moral?
When judging morality, should we prioritize **intentions/duty** or **outcomes/results**? It introduces two influential philosophers as representatives of these approaches.
* **Immanuel Kant (deontology):** An action is moral when it is done from **duty** and follows rational, universal principles (the **categorical imperative**). Certain acts—like lying—are wrong regardless of the consequences; you can’t do a wrong thing for a right reason.
* **John Stuart Mill (utilitarian consequentialism):** The morality of an action is determined by its **effects**, specifically how much **happiness/well-being** it produces. Mill argues that some pleasures are “higher” than others, and that good intentions don’t redeem harmful outcomes.
## Discussion Questions
1. **The lying dilemma:** A murderer comes to your door and asks if your friend is hiding inside. Kant would say you must not lie.
2. **Can good intentions rescue a bad outcome?**
3. **The organ harvest problem:** A surgeon has five patients dying of organ failure and one healthy patient in for a checkup. Killing the one to harvest organs would save five lives, and the math works out for the utilitarian. Why does this feel so deeply wrong? Is that feeling a point in Kant's favor, or just a bias we should overcome?
4. **Do rules need exceptions?** Kant insists moral rules must be universal, with no exceptions. But most of us can imagine extreme scenarios where any rule seems like it should bend. Does the need for exceptions fatally undermine deontology, or is the strength of the system precisely that it refuses to bend?
5. **Who gets to calculate the consequences?** Utilitarianism asks us to maximize good outcomes, but we're notoriously bad at predicting consequences. If we can't reliably know the results of our actions, is it practical to base our entire moral system on outcomes? Does this uncertainty push us back toward rules and principles?
6. **Everyday morality:** Think about a real moral decision you've made recently, even a small one. Did you reason more like a Kantian (what's the right thing to do in principle?) or more like a utilitarian (what will produce the best result?)? Do most people naturally lean one way?
7. **Justice vs. the greater good:** A town can prevent a deadly plague by sacrificing one innocent person. The greater good is clearly served. But is it just? Can an action be morally right and deeply unjust at the same time?
8. **The big synthesis question:** Are these two systems actually opposed, or do they often arrive at the same answers by different paths? Is it possible that we need both: rules to guide us in the moment and consequences to evaluate systems and policies over time?































